When mixing cocktails

Getting the exact mix can be tricky, and in many cases is of questionable importance.When trying to teach new bartenders how to make particular recipes, they often aren't happy with descriptions like:

"Vodka, bit of Peach Schappes, Orange, and a dash of Cranberry"

I can understand why, it doesn't exactly lend a lot of information, but to me it gives all you need to know to make, what is essentially, a perfectly alright mix.

Take the description above at it's full value -Most cocktails have at least 6cl (2oz) of alcohol, so you can divide "Vodka, a bit of Peach Schnappes" into 4cl Vodka and 2cl Peach (errr... 1.5oz and 0.5oz)

"Orange, and a dash of Cranberry"Well, that's easy, a dash is a splash is simply not a lot of Cranberry Juice. So, fill it most of the way with Orange Juice and then add a bit of Cranberry. I personally just add enough to give Sex on the beach a nice peachy colour.

So, while I could say "Take 4cl of Vodka, then 2cl of Peach Schnappes..." and so on, it really isn't necessary. Once you understand some of the fundamentals behind cocktails it can really take away the mystique that makes so many people afraid to try mixing recipes for themselves.